What is spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is where the space in the centre of your spine (spinal canal) narrows. The spinal canal contains the nerves that leave the lower end of your spinal cord.
What does the operation involve?
You will usually have an MRI scan, to confirm the diagnosis and help your surgeon to plan the operation.
Various anaesthetic techniques are possible. The operation usually takes an hour to 90 minutes.
Your surgeon will make a cut on the centre of your lower back. They will remove enough bone and ligament tissue from the back of your spine to free the trapped nerves.
Your surgeon may need to join the bones using a bone graft. Sometimes they will need to use metal screws and rods.